Daily statsStart: 6:45 AM- Spoil island in ICW near South Daytona,FL Finish: 7:45 PM - Spoil island in ICW near Palm Coast, FLTime: 11:00 (3:30 hours spent in park charging batteries and cooking dinnerDaily dist: 37 milesTotal dist: 2,492 miles Companions: A gentleman named Scott found me close to where I camped and joined me for the first three hours.Weather: Rainy turning to clear and breezy with a NW then NE windNotes: Scott brought doughnuts for me

This morning, just as I pulled away from the island I had camped on, I spotted another kayaker in the pre dawn light. I figured that anybody up and out in a kayak had to be either crazy, fishing, or looking for me. It turns out that Scott was two of those three.

Scott has been following along with my progress for a while and when he saw that I was getting close he posted in the blog that he’d like to paddle with me a bit if we could make it work out. It just so happens that I ended up camping on an island that he is familiar with (which he could see from the SPOT locator) so this morning Scott put in a mile or so north and paddled down to see if he could catch me. Luck was with him as, sure enough, he did find me. Luck was with me as he brought a half dozen doughnuts with him. We paddled together for about an hour until he had to turn back so he could get to work just a little bit late.

Fresh Dunkin Donuts, I must be dreaming

Just after we parted ways the skies opened up and I paddled through about a half hour of warm Florida rain. After four straight days of blazing sun I didn’t mind the overcast skies and freshwater rinse. The relief from the sun was short lived and within a couple hours the sky was clear and the wind had shifted to the northwest which meant a slight head wind which was just enough to keep me cool as I paddled.

It appears as though I’ve joined the ranks of the dozens of yachts heading north. Today a gentleman on a passing boat called out to me and said that he’d seen me yesterday. I told him was I was up to and he was dutifully impressed and wished me well as his large yacht pulled away leaving me back in the peace and quiet of the water around me.

The 'Ho Hum' one of several yachts I've been leap frogging the last couple days

Just before I pulled off the water for the night I spotted a county park/boat launch within a half mile of the island I intended to camp on. With a hunch that there might be an outlet that would allow me to charge up my laptop, I entered the park and after checking in with the ranger’s wife and kids found an empty outlet near a well head that would allow me to put some life back into my computer batteries which had run very low. While I waited for the batteries to charge I cooked dinner and came up with a battle plan for the next couple of days.

Island camp at sunset

With the sun setting and my batteries still not fully charged I re-packed my boat and set out across the channel to where I put my tent up and called it a day.

With the sun setting and my batteries still not fully charged I re-packed my boat and set out across the channel to where I put my tent up and called it a day.

Hey Jake! Nice meeting you today and great paddling with you. Best of luck with the rest of your trip!!

Reply

Jan Kleck

4/9/2010 02:41:47 pm

Doughnuts - you must have felt that you had arrived in heaven! Who will find you tomorrow? You are certainly knocking out the miles!!!!

Reply

Steven Krause

4/9/2010 11:54:07 pm

Fresh doughnuts! All the kayakers along the rest of Jake's route who would like to kayak with Jake for awhile should keep that in mind. Jake likes fresh doughnuts!

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Al Benton

4/10/2010 12:43:40 am

Jake, it's good to see that you are chucking out the miles again. Wow, another benchmark, of sorts, today; 2,500 miles behind you. Congratulations! Here's hoping that more fresh donuts are in your near future.

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Lyn Stachovak

4/10/2010 01:51:33 am

Fresh doughnuts! I'm jealous... Made me drool - I suppose that's because I'm trying to stay away from things like that so I will fit in the kayak I plan to buy in a couple of weeks. You've gone 2,500 miles? That means you're almost half way home. Yes! Love you and stay safe. Mom

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Andy

4/10/2010 09:11:11 am

Great job on making 2500, Jake. Keep it up!

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Heather

4/10/2010 10:42:19 am

So, you should be in site of the beautiful Bridge of Lyons/Lions. Ah, the memories. It's near the foot of that bridge that you, Neil, and I posed near that canon with my mom for her 'surprise' birthday event. Say hi to the huge beach dunes for me that you'll see tomorrow on your way to Ponte Vedra. :)